For many people, the image of an artist always includes a sketchbook tucked under their arm, filled to the brim with daily drawings. But honestly? That hasn’t been my reality. Because I rely heavily on photography for my references, my preparation phase usually happens on a screen. Photoshop has historically been my most-used tool before the brush even touches the canvas.

So, why did I suddenly decide to challenge myself to a daily, physical sketchbook practice?It comes down to a few big reasons.

The Spark of Inspiration

First of all, I’ve been incredibly inspired by seeing other artists proudly share their sketchbooks. Looking through them feels like flipping through a beautiful, self-contained little book. One of my long-term dreams is to publish a high-quality album of my finished paintings one day, and building a dedicated sketching habit feels like the perfect warm-up for that ultimate goal.

The Battle with Consistency

Here is a little behind-the-scenes truth: I struggle with consistency and discipline. For the majority of my life, I’ve been someone who starts a project with massive enthusiasm, only to abandon it halfway through. Treating my painting practice professionally over the last couple of years has been an incredible teacher, but I still need to exercise that discipline muscle. A daily sketch is the perfect, low-stakes workout to keep my creative routine regular.

Realistic Goals for Summer Living

To make sure I actually succeed, I set a strict rule: no more than 15 minutes per sketch. With summer in full swing and my kids home with me full-time, finding a solid, uninterrupted hour to paint during the day is almost impossible. But 10 to 15 minutes? That is reasonable. It removes the friction and the excuses.

Capturing the Ephemeral

Lastly, I am a chronic observer. I take countless photos every day because my eyes constantly catch things I want to create. But the reality of working with oil paints is that I simply cannot turn every single beautiful moment into a large-scale canvas painting. These small sketches are the perfect compromise. They allow me to capture and honor those fleeting, beautiful daily moments without the pressure of a massive project.

Will You Join Me?

I am incredibly curious to see what this challenge will bring after a month, and I will absolutely share the results with you. But for now, I don’t want to do this alone. I’d love to invite you to join me.

You don’t need to be a professional painter. You just need a piece of paper, a sketchbook, a pencil, or some crayons.Before you start, just ask yourself: Why am I doing this? Is it purely for fun? Is it for drawing practice? Or is it, like me, to build a little more discipline and consistency in your daily life?

There is no judgment here, and it is absolutely not a contest. Let’s just create together.